DK Travel : Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s liveliest city and one of the most fascinating capitals in the world. You’ll find no other place where art and culture, museums and theatres, entertainment and nightlife are more diverse and exciting than on the banks of the Spree River. Once reunited, Berlin quickly developed into a cosmopolitan city, and today there is an air of energy and vibrancy about it.

Multi-lingual tourist information: www.berlin.de or: www.btm.de

Neue Synagoge

Berlin’s largest synagogue, built originally in 1859–66, was demolished in World War II but completely reconstructed in 1988–95. Its magnificent dome is visible from afar (see Central Berlin: Scheunenviertel) .
Neue Synagoge

The New Synagogue, built in 1859–66, was once the largest in Europe. In 1938, it managed to survive “Reichskristallnacht” thanks to the vigilance of a brave guard, but it was damaged by bombs during World War II. Behind the Moorish façades are a prayer room and the Centrum Judaicum.
Neuer See

Shimmering in a mysterious emerald green, the largest lake in Tiergarten is perfect for rowing. Afterwards you can recover in the Café am Neuen See.
Neuer See

Visitors will be surprised to discover the tranquil New Lake in the middle of the city, well hidden at the western end of the vast Großer Tiergarten park. On its banks is the Café am Neuen See (see Restaurants & Cafés) . A boat trip or a walk around the lake is a pleasant way to while away the day.
Neues Palais

To the north of Sanssouci palace park rises the Baroque Neues Palais. One of Germany’s most beautiful palaces, it was built in 1763–9 for Frederick the Great according to designs by Johann Gottfried Büring, Jean Laurent Le Geay and Carl von Gontard. The vast two-storey structure comprises 200 rooms, including the Marmorsaal (marble hall), a lavishly furnished ballroom, and the Schlosstheater, where plays are once more performed today. Frederick’s private chambers are equally splendid, especially his study furnished in Rococo style, the upper gallery with valuable parquet flooring and the Oberes Vestibül, a room clad entirely in marble.
Neuschwanstein Castle

The most famous of Germany’s castles, and one of the three commissioned by King Ludwig II, overlooks the gorgeous Hohenschwangau valley. If the architecture looks familiar, you’re right; Walt Disney used the castle as inspiration when designing the Sleeping Beauty Castle for Disney Land. Hundreds of artisans from around the globe took sixteen years to build but a third of the planned castle. It was never finished. However, its sweeping turrets and alabaster walls show that there’s little reason why Neuschwanstein is a prime tourist attraction in Germany.
Newton Bar

One of the trendiest bars in town. Sink into the deep leather armchairs and sip your cocktails, surrounded by Helmut Newton’s photographs of proud women.
Newton Sammlung

Helmut Newton (1931–2004), the world famous photographer, has finally returned to his home city. This new museum presents his complete works and centres on two shows called “Sex and Landscapes” and “Us and Them”, which show his early fashion and nude photography as well as photos of the famous, rich and beautiful since 1947.
Newton-Bar

The best cocktails in town are mixed at this elegant bar in Gendarmenmarkt. Service is charming and the fastest in town, and in summer there’s even a fold-down bar on the pavement outside. Heavy leather armchairs make for comfortable sitting, and the walls are adorned with enlarged photographs of nudes by Helmut Newton, after whom the bar is named. Highly recommended: the Caribbean and Latin-American cocktails – chin-chin!
Nikolaikirche

Berlin’s oldest sacred building, the Church of St Nicholas was built in 1230, in the Nikolaiviertel. The present church, with its red-brick twin towers, dates from around 1300. It is particularly famous for the portal on the west wall of the main nave, created by Andreas Schlüter. It is adorned with a gilded relief depicting a goldsmith and his wife. The church was rebuilt in 1987 and today houses parts of the municipal museum.